Hitchin played host to a collection of top comedians at a Stand Up For Labour fundraiser at Westmill Community Centre on Friday evening.
Comic, writer and actor Arthur Smith – who has featured in the television series Grumpy Old Men – had the 100-strong crowd in hysterics with jokes such as: “David Moyes is to be the next UKIP leader because he took Manchester United out of Europe in only one year – and kept them out.”
Speaking to the Comet backstage, he said: “I love Hitchin – it’s great to be back. I do 100 gigs a year including two or three for Stand Up for Labour – it’s important to come to places like Westmill, which is a hub of the community.”
Host for the evening and comic Paul Ricketts said: “I heard Hitchin MP Peter Lilley was mocked up with a rasta hat and a legalise cannabis badge. If Conservative MPs want to ‘smoke the herb’ then I’m all for it – some of them certainly need to chill out.”
Organiser and Hitchin Oughton ward councillor Frank Radcliffe said: “I thought it was a fantastic night.
“It was great to get people out to the community centre in Westmill which was one of my aims. I have to say Arthur was a complete gent and we really appreciate him coming all the way from Balham to Hitchin, which can only help our cause.”
Rachel Burgin, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Hitchin and Harpenden, said: “I was over the moon at how it went, the atmosphere was great – and I thought Richard Howitt MEP showed great character in telling jokes on stage.”
Richard added: “I’m known for my bad jokes.”
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